Lecture No: 9 (COMBUSTION IN C.I.

ENGINE)
9.1 Introduction
The importance of C.I.E. id due to 1. Its higher thermal efficiency than S.I.E. as 
in D.E is >  in P.E. 2. C.I.E. fuels (diesel oils) being less expensive than S.I.E
fuels as specific gravity of diesel fuels > specific gravity of petrol fuels.
Liquid fuel is injected towards the end of compression stroke, so that the fuel is
distributed in a jet through all pats of the combustion chamber. Distribution of the
fuel mixing with air, evaporation and diffusion to produce a gaseous mixture and
chemical reactions to burning the fuel all have to be accomplished in an extremely
short period.

9.2 Combustion Stages in C.I.E.

1. Ignition delay: is the difference time between start of ignition and start of
injection, during this period there is no noticeable deviation of pressure diagram
from the compression curve.
Ignition delay can be calculated from the following empirical equation:
0.44 exp4650 / T 
t in ms
P 1.19
P : pressure in atm at ignition point & T : temperature in K at ignition point

2. Rapid (uncontrolled combustion) this stages causes a rapid raise in

cylinder pressure and temperature.
3. A lower rate of combustion this stage gives a moderate increase in
cylinder pressure over that to be expected in the absence of continuing
combustion
4. Tail of combustion (a very low rate of combustion)occurring well down
the expansion stroke of the engine.

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9.3 Some Factors Effecting on Ignition Delay

Increase in Effect on delay Reason

variables period
Centan number reduces Reduces self ignition temperature
Injection pressure reduces Greater surface volume hence less
physical delay
Injection advance increase P & T lower when injection begin
Fuel temperature reduces Better vaporization & increase
chemical reaction
Compression ratio reduces Increase P & T of air and reduces otto
ignition temperature
Load (F/A) ratio reduces Increase operating temperature
Speed reduces Less loss of heat & more crank angle
in a given time
Jacket water temp. reduces Increase wall temp, hence air temp.
Engine size Little effect Lower r.p.m

9.4 Type of Combustion Chamber in C.I.E.

1. Sub-divided combustion chamber its consist of three types:
A- Pre a chamber: combustion starts in the pre-chamber and causes a raise in
pressure which force fuel air mixture through a passage into main chamber (this
passage is small in cross sectional area to ensure high velocities and efficient
distribution)
Advantage: 1. Rapid and violent mixing of air and fuel without demanding a
great deal with fuel injection equipment. 2. Increase fuel temperature.

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B. Turbulence chamber: In this design mixing of fuel and air in the chamber
occur before combustion. Piston cause air tangentially motion into spherical
chamber. After ignition pressure increase yields increase in swirl which causes
good mixture. This type of chamber has the advantage of undemanding fuel
injection equipment and due to high air velocities can operate with low excess air.

C. Air cell: this type has a secondary chamber. Movement of fuel and air
from main chamber into the secondary chamber may be occurs, which
causes a secondary turbulence in the main chamber to complete combustion
effectively.

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2. Direct injection combustion chamber its consist of three types:
A- Meurer system (Man Engine): In this type rapid combustion occur
immediately after ignition has take place. This eliminates diesel knock, the
pressure raise occur in the first stage of combustion and combustion noise is
low.

B- Deep Bowl with swirl and squish: This type of combustion chamber is
used for smaller direct injection type engines. The air swirl motion is
produced by passages or by masks. This motion promotes mixing of the fuel
and air. Liquid fuel deposits may be removed by this air motion.

C- Opposite piston engine combustion chamber: In this type a central

injector can’t be used but two or more on the periphery have to be used. Air
swirl is obtained quite easily by shaped inlet ports, mixing of fuel and air
would be less easily obtained.

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 3. The Quiescent combustion chamber
This type of combustion chamber is only suitable for engines above a certain
size, to prevent pre-mature impingement of a spray on a wall before ignition.
Number of nozzles may be 6 or more holes.

Q: Make a comparison between divided and single combustion chambers

Divided C.C Single C. C.

Pre- C.C. Swirl C.C. Air swirl Quiescent

High heat loss High heat loss Moderate Low
Good air utilization Good air utilization Moderate Fairly moderate
Poor starting Poor starting Good starting Good starting
Restriction on valve area Limits on valve area Good valve area Best valve area
Low pressure raise in main Low pressure raise in main High pressure High pressure
chamber chamber raise in main raise in main
chamber chamber
Easy fuel injection equipment Easy fuel injection equipment Moderate More difficult
High speed High speed Moderate Medium/low